eisenach
pfm Member
... because we've all got different ears, equipment, rooms and priorities. However, I’ve just bought a second-hand Technics sl-1200G, and when I pick it up when the restrictions lift, it’s going to need a cartridge. I could spend up to £500ish if necessary; after all, it’s got to do justice to quite a good turntable (by all accounts).
It seems finding the right cartridge is a minefield, especially in the current circumstances. It’s not as if you can borrow a few to try out ! I’ve read around here and the net, but not much seems to relate to classical.
At the moment I have a Goldring G1042 on a Rega RB300 arm on a very old, AC motored Gyrodec. It works well enough. I don’t really trust myself trying to get the cables off the cartridge pins safely, never mind removing it and fitting it to a new headshell !
Whatever I buy …
Apparently, Technics demonstrate the G using an Ortofon M2 Black, so that seems an obvious choice, but I’ve also read that it can be a bit bright in the top end and picky about disc quality. I’m wondering about the M2 Bronze, supposedly warmer and more easy-going, and which can be had as PnP.
Summary: smooth, warm, detailed, good with classical, easy to fit. What do you recommend ?
I have no intention of modifying the deck.
It seems finding the right cartridge is a minefield, especially in the current circumstances. It’s not as if you can borrow a few to try out ! I’ve read around here and the net, but not much seems to relate to classical.
At the moment I have a Goldring G1042 on a Rega RB300 arm on a very old, AC motored Gyrodec. It works well enough. I don’t really trust myself trying to get the cables off the cartridge pins safely, never mind removing it and fitting it to a new headshell !
Whatever I buy …
- It must be smooth-sounding and suitable for classical music, mainly. I can’t stand thin-sounding strings, so it has to have some body, probably on the warm side, but also be good at detail retrieval. I have lots of choral music, too, so a choir needs to sound good.
- It has to track well and not be prone to fizzing treble and sibilance.
- It absolutely has to be easy to fit ! The last time I fitted a cartridge was to an entry level Micro Seiki belt drive turntable in 1979. In those days, my eyes worked, my hand was steady and my fingers had some strength and feel in them. Something already attached to a headshell or an Ortofon PnP would be ideal.
- Something with a stronger output than the G1042 would not go amiss.
Apparently, Technics demonstrate the G using an Ortofon M2 Black, so that seems an obvious choice, but I’ve also read that it can be a bit bright in the top end and picky about disc quality. I’m wondering about the M2 Bronze, supposedly warmer and more easy-going, and which can be had as PnP.
Summary: smooth, warm, detailed, good with classical, easy to fit. What do you recommend ?
I have no intention of modifying the deck.